A dental implant treatment demands extensive aftercare for safe, effective and quick recovery. One of those several aftercare instructions include avoiding dairy products. However, why must one avoid dairy foodstuffs for a few days after the treatment? Advanced Dental Spa looks into some reasons for this.
What is a Dental Implant?
Also called dental fixtures, tooth implants are artificial structures that replace missing teeth. They serve as a durable and natural-looking replacement.
Implants have three components – a titanium screw that works as the root, a connector piece and a dental crown or an artificial tooth. Dentists fix them with minor dental surgery that enhances the teeth functionality and aesthetics.
After surgery, your dentist will issue various aftercare dos and don’ts. These range from taking the prescribed care of your teeth to avoiding certain foodstuffs, including dairy products. Let’s understand why dentists do not recommend consuming dairy items after placing dental fixtures.
Why Avoid Dairy Products After Placing Dental Fixtures?
Dairy foods like cheese, milk, yoghurt, etc., are a rich source of proteins, calcium, and vitamin D. The body needs these nutrients for quicker and healthier healing after placing oral implants. However, dentistry excludes them for some reasons. Here’s why you cannot consume them until your dentist allows you.
- Increased Inflammation: Full-fat dairy foodstuffs are rich in saturated fats that can increase inflammation. Of course, inflammation is one of the body’s natural responses to a treatment. However, excessive inflammation may interfere with the healing process and result in discomfort.
- Reduced Healing Pace: After placing the implant, the body forms a blood clot in the implant region. This clot protects the bone and nerve endings beneath. Dairy products have calcium content that can disrupt the blood clot formation process. The disruption can cause prolonged bleeding and slow down the healing process.
- Implant Failure: Dentists often recommend antibiotics to mitigate the bacterial infection risk after surgery. The calcium content in dairy can bind to the antibiotic, rendering it less effective and causing the implant to fail.
- Implant Irritation: Dairy products can cause nausea and vomiting. These responses may irritate the dental fixture and result in discomfort.
Alternative Foods for Optimal Recovery
Nutrition plays a pivotal role in post-surgery healing. Along with many other nutrients, calcium’s significance is paramount in the healing process. Accordingly, here are some generic foodstuffs to consume to promote healthier healing.
- Low-Fat Milk: Once you complete the 24-hour post-surgery period, you can consider low-fat or plant-based alternatives like soy milk, oat milk, and almond milk that serve as equally good sources of
- Leafy Greens: Kale, spinach, broccoli, and collard greens also have rich calcium content that contributes to a healthier and quicker
- Fortified Juices: Juices fortified with calcium can also work as an alternative to supply an adequate amount of calcium to the
- Fish: Fish varieties like canned salmon and sardines have edible Hence, they form an excellent source of calcium that benefits healing.
- Supplements: Dentists may also prescribe supplements or protein powders to support the body’s nutritional
If Not Dairy, How to Cover the Body’s Protein Needs?
That’s a valid question. The body also requires adequate proteins to heal after the dental implant surgery. Thanks to nature it offers numerous other options. Let us look at those alternatives. However, the key to safe and effective healing is to avoid hard foods and consume soft ones.
- Eggs: Known for their rich protein content, eggs and omelettes are easy to eat when the mouth feels
- Meat: Chicken, lamb or beef also form rich protein sources and potential alternatives to dairy-based
- Potatoes: Easy to eat, and soft recipes of potatoes can also form alternatives you can consume during the initial recovery
In addition to the above, you can keep oats that require minimal chewing and provide the body with a healthy dose of carbohydrates and fibre.
Other Foods to Avoid After Undergoing Dental Implant Surgery
Apart from dairy, your dentist will ask you to avoid the following food items.
- Hard Foods: Food like crunchy snacks, tough meats, nuts and hard candies can exert pressure on the implant region and lead to
- Foods with High Acidic Content: Juices, tea, acidic fruits and coffee can cause irritation in the treated Accordingly, you must limit their intake.
- Hot and Cold Foods: Hot and cold foods can result in swelling, bleeding and discomfort in the treated
- Sticky Foods: Gum and taffy can displace the Hence, you must also avoid them until the dentist allows you.
- Spicy Foods: Pepper, garlic, and fiery sauces can trigger bacterial growth and irritate the implant
- Carbonated Beverages: These drinks can irritate the surgical Hence, you should refrain from consuming them. Additionally, you must avoid alcohol that can interfere with the prescribed medications.
Note: The above are generic options. You must consult your dentist to determine what suits you the best and follow their prescription.
Conclusion
The initial recovery period is crucial for safe and healthy healing. Thus, you must stay careful about what you consume and be attentive to the body’s response. Discussing potential foods to consume and those to avoid, along with their effects on your body, can help you prepare for the recovery better. Your dentist should guide you comprehensively throughout the healing process. Once you heal fully, your dentist may allow you to enjoy the foods you like.
Need more information on Dental fixtures or want to undergo an implant procedure? Choose Advanced Dental Spa. Committed to delivering the most appropriate dental care, we will help you maintain excellent oral health.
Schedule a consultation with our dentists for personalised advice and treatment.
